Mellie Boagni Bridewell 

Delta Regional Authority DOL WORC Grant Workshop 
Growing the Healthcare Workforce
Between July 2019 – September 2022, ARHP added eight new member organizations representing rural 

hospitals (Ouachita County Medical Center, Helena Regional Medical Center, Sevier County Medical 

Center, Forrest City Medical Center), Federally Qualified Health Centers (Mid-Delta Health Systems, 

Mainline Health Systems), and two osteopathic medical schools (NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine 

– Jonesboro and Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine- Fort Smith ).

EXPANDING OUR REACH

21

MEMBERS

consisting of 16 rural hospital members, 

3 medical teaching institutions, and 2 

FQHCs

897K+ Total population service area: 897, 271

92+ Together, ARHP members have over 90 owned or 

affiliated clinics.

24 ARHP serves 24 counties throughout South Arkansas 
CONNECT TO TECH

(PCCUA and UAM Partnership)

HEALTH BUSINESS OPERATIONS INITIATIVE

Proposed Program Tracks

• Medical Coding and Billing

• Health Information Management 

• Clinical Documentation

• Healthcare Administration

• Participants across 23 counties 

• Growing trained and skilled healthcare staff through accessible degree 

programs

• Directly impact the financial viability and sustainability of hospitals 

(UA Grantham Partnership)

BUILDING SCHOLARSHIPS

• 70 Arkansas Delta Students 

⚬ Apprenticeships

⚬ One-on-one support 

⚬ Community health worker training 

⚬ Career Placement 

• Degrees offered: Health Information Technology and Behavioral Health 

Technology

• Directly impacts the existing local healthcare workforce needs 
This website will be downloaded onto large smart boards on the workforce mobile unit that will travel to rural high schools, MASH and 

CHAMPS programs, community events, and community colleges educating on healthcare careers, educational pathways, and scholarship

opportunities. 

ARHP WORKFORCE WEBSITE

https://careers.arruralhealth.org/
• Statement of Need: the foundation of the application

• Statement of Need and Strategic Alignment 
Description of Area 

to be Served and 

Identified Needs

Description (Example): The proposed project will serve X counties located in X. 

Counties include. The service area is marked by poverty (23%), unemployment 

(4.6%), low educational attainment (83.4% high school completion/15.3%

completing bachelor’s degree or higher), poor infrastructure (including road 

systems and lack of public transit), and an educational system that struggles to 

meet state or national standards. All of these factors play a large role in the 

challenge to recruit, train, and maintain a local health workforce. 

Identified Needs (Example): 

• The lack of qualified providers places a strain on rural healthcare systems to 

offer quality services and keep patients from moving care to larger, urban 

centers (outward migration rate at a 12.4% population loss). Ultimately, 

these factors compound to negatively impact the quality of life for residents, 

including poor health outcomes, higher rates of chronic disease and

shortened length of life (average life expectancy of 73.7 years) in comparison 

to Arkansas residents outside of the Delta region. 

• A new program, the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me (ARHOME), will 

replace Arkansas Works and expand beyond health insurance coverage to 

include the provision of behavioral and mental health services and support 

within rural hospitals, and support to youngadults as they transition from 

military service, incarceration, substance use, and/or foster care.Rural 

hospital and FQHC partners will play a critical role in the implementation and 

success ofthis new statewide program. 

• While health information technology (HIT), telehealth service delivery, and 

behavioral health technology (BHT) positions will exponentially grow in the

region, few young adults are aware of the need and career opportunity. In 

preparation for the upcoming surge in technology-related health workforce 

positions and demonstrated existing need, the proposed project (Connect to 

Tech AR) will recruit and assist 70 students to successfully complete HIT, BHT,

and telehealth certification, training, and/or degree programs.
Target Population.

Who: The proposed project will serve new entrants to the workforce. The 

applicant will target recruitment efforts to high school students & recent 

graduates, returning military, persons experiencing a lapse in employment due to

substance use and/or incarceration, and women re-entering the workforce after 

caregiving, as they all meet the “new entrants to the workforce” definition by an 

extended lapse in employmentor no work history.

Why: The target population was selected based on several factors, including: 1)

thedemographics of individuals entering certificate and/or associate degree 

programs, 2) the level and length of training/education period required, 3) the 

desire to recruit individuals looking for training & career opportunities without 

the need for a bachelor's degree or above, 4) an organizational priority to serve as 

a health career pipeline, particularly for minority and marginalized groups, and 5)

organizational experience in serving persons in substance usetreatment and

recovery. For recruitment plans per subpopulation, see Table 1.
Table 1. Recruitment Efforts

High school students & recent graduates: Coordinate visits to local high schools & engage guidance

counselors in disseminating information about program availability; utilize workforce mobile unit

Returning military: Engage veteran’s groups, National Guard stations, and nearby military bases to

share information about program for individuals discharged from and/or retiring from the military

Substance use history and/or recent incarceration: Peer recovery specialists (existing ARHP staff) will

inform individuals in recovery of training opportunities and connect to program as relevant

Women re-entering the workforce: Special social media & print campaigns will be developed to

advertise program; print materials shared at churches, grocery stores, schools, daycares, libraries, etc.

Energy field: Special social media campaign developed to inform & recruit population

Recruitment Efforts
Alignment with Strategic Plan. (Example) 

DRA State Plan: The proposed project aligns with the DRA State of Arkansas Delta Development Plan’s priorities including 1) Create or Retain Jobs. The 

proposed project will support individuals living in south Arkansas Delta communities to successfully move through the health workforce pipeline and into career 

placement (health information technology (HIT) and telehealth fields) with a local healthcare partner. The Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (applicant) will 

engage education (high schools, colleges & universities), healthcare (hospitals, federally qualified health centers & clinics) and local workforce (economic 

development) partners across the Delta region to recruit, train, mentor, and employ 70 individuals across the three-year period of performance. By creating the 

ability for these Delta healthcare organizations to provide better care and increase the capacity to provide telehealth services with a talented and educated 

workforce; patients will remain locally to receive healthcare services instead of driving hours to larger hospitals and services- and small Arkansas Delta hospitals 

will survive and thrive retaining numerous jobs in these small communities.

DRA Federal Plan: The proposed project aligns with DRA’s Federal Plan Regional Authority’s Regional Development Plan goals; including Goal 1. Improved

Workforce Competitiveness by improving workforce readiness by providing apprenticeships (HIV and BHT apprenticeships in participating healthcare

organizations). The proposed project connects institutions of higher education to healthcare organizations which are the largest employers in their respective Delta

communities. Building a healthcare technical workforce that can increase the capacity of these small healthcare organizations will create their ability to recruit

and provide additional healthcare services in the region. By creating the ability for these Delta healthcare organizations to provide better care and increase the

capacity to provide telehealth services with a talented and educated workforce; patients will remain locally to receive healthcare services instead of driving hours

to larger hospitals and services.

WIOA State Plan. The proposed project aligns with WIOA Employment and Training programs within the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services and within 

the following core programs- the Adult program (Title I of WIOA), the Dislocated Worker program (Title I), and the Youth program (Title 1). The proposed 

program will work with local Workforce offices to recruit these SNAP recipients into the Connect to Tech AR project that will provide funding for them to 

participate in health information technology and training programs that will lead to employment opportunities in their respective communities.
Barriers & Challenges (Examples)

Factors that May Impact Success Strategies to Reduce Challenges

Lack of interest in or knowledge about health

technology careers

Print, web & social media campaigns are crafted to reach differentsubpopulations; Material is 

widely disseminated throughout the region, including schools, churches, libraries, civic clubs,

etc.

Education partners have troublerecruiting & retaining 

enough HIT/BHT students to fill classes & meet demand

Project staff will work closely with partners and community members to widely disseminate 

materials & messaging . Students will be provided continuous, one-on-one support toassist in

program completion. Paid apprenticeships and job placement within partner organizations will

also support efforts.

Difficulty attending in-person classes due to 

transportation challenges, distance to campus,and/or

COVID-19 surge

The project will educate students in a variety of settings and sites, including the traditional 

classroom (college partners), simulation training (using the ARHP mobile training unit), an/or

attendance ofvirtual classes at a satellite telehealth resource center (2).

Lack of financial resource to engage in certificate &

degreeprograms (HIT/BHT)

Program participants will receive tuition assistance (including books& laptop), paid 

apprenticeships, and free additional training (telehealth & community health worker 

certifications) to reduce financial burden of education & lost wages.

Rural healthcare partners havelimited resource to recruit 

& retain new health workforce

The program will offer paid apprenticeships for students at partner healthcare organizations. 

This will create new exposure for the healthcare sector to recruit new hires without having to

incur the costof recruitment or apprenticeship. All students will complete CHW training so 

that positions are reimbursable.
Project Partnerships.

Name of Partner Roles & Responsibilities Value of Partnership

Arkansas Rural HealthPartnership (ARHP) Applicant, Program &Fiscal Management,

Apprenticeship & JobPlacement Site

Organization is a collaboration of hospitals,clinics, and FQHCs 

throughout the service area with leadership at the table

Southeast Arkansas Economic Development

District

Local Workforce Development Partner,

Connect individuals toapprenticeships

Brings needed resources through local economic

development opportunities and apartner for student 

recruitment; knowledgeof needs and barriers of incoming

students

University of Arkansasat Monticello-College of

Technology-Crossett

Education Partner (10-month certificate

program: HIT with

telehealth concentration)

A local college that can assist with student education and

retention as well as grow withthe needs of healthcare 

organizations in the region

Phillips CommunityCollege of the University

ofAR

Education Partner (2-yr degree: Behavioral Health

Technology)

A local college that can assist with student education and

retention as well as grow withthe needs of healthcare 

organizations in the region; regional reach of campus across the

service area

University of Arkansasfor Medical Sciences

(UAMS) Institute for Digital Health

Training Partner (telehealthcertification) Talented staff are knowledgeable on the application of studies

and how to implementand execute telehealth services

ARHP MemberHospitals (17)* Apprenticeship & JobPlacement Sites Committed organizations with a need forHealth Information 

staff that is knowledgeable to assist with IT and telehealth

and cross-trained as CHWs
Expected project results & sustainability (examples) 

Expected Results. The project will engage healthcare (16), education (3), telehealth resource centers (2) and workforce partners (2) in the 

region to accomplish the following results within the three-year grant period: 1) increase the # of students enrolled in local HIT certificate

(40) &BHT 2-yr degree programs (30), 2) decrease financial barriers to training & education for 70 individuals, 3) increase the # of students 

completing local HIT certificate (40) & BHT 2-yr degree programs (30), 4) increase the # of students engaged in local healthcare 

apprenticeships (70), 5) increase the # of local graduates hired into HIT & BHT jobs with local partners (70), and 6) increase the # of new 

health workforce cross-trained as CHWs (70). For the project timeline with defined activities, seeAttachment 2.

Long-Term Benefits (Sustainability). Long-term benefits of the project include: 1) increase locally available healthcare services, 2) decrease 

outward migration of young adults in rural Delta communities, 3) increase rural healthcare system sustainability & viability, and 4) improve

health outcomes and quality of life for rural south Arkansas Delta residents.

Achieving WORC Initiative Goal. The WORC goal is to: create economic prosperity, gainfulemployment, and high-quality career outcomes 

for workers who reside in the Appalachian and Delta regions, enabling them to remain and thrive in these communities. The proposed project

will achieve this goal in the Delta region by: 1) increasing student enrollment in local HIT and BHT certificate and degree programs, 2) 

increasing the recruitment, training, hiring, and retention of local talent in the Delta region, 3) increasing the functionality, financial viability,

andsustainability of local employers (healthcare organizations) that support community members & economies.
Results to be Achieved by the End of the Grant Cycle (Example)

Activities Expected Results

Total participants obtaining new or enhanced

employment (required result)

70 (job placements of new entrants to the workforceentering

a career pathway)

1 HIT/BHT apprenticeship program

developed

40 HIT certification workers & 30 BHT 2-year degree

awarded a credential

70 students provided tuition assistance &

one-on-one support through schooling

40 individuals gain HIT certification, 30 individuals complete 

a 2-yr BHT degree (particular increase in underrepresented

students)

70 students are cross-trained in CHW

model

70 individuals are prepared to meet existing & futurehealth 

workforce gaps in region; positions are reimbursable, lead

to increased sustainability

70 students will complete telehealth

modules (2) with IDHI

70 trained individuals assist hospitals & clinics to meetthe

needs of patients locally via telehealth resources
Project Timeline (Example)

Provide telehealth and health information technology (HIT) training opportunities through paid apprenticeships at partnering healthcare organizations (ARHP 

health system partners) throughout the Arkansas Delta region

Activities Year I Year II Year III

Hire the Recruitment & Placement Coordinator to assist students. October 2021 - -

Work with ARHP member hospitals and clinics (as well as other healthcare 

organizations serving the Arkansas Delta) to organize paid apprenticeships for students 

participating in the program

- October 2022- Ongoing Ongoing

Match students with healthcare organizations for paid apprenticeships - January 2023- Ongoing Ongoing

Students complete locally available, paid apprenticeships in the HIT & telehealth field - Ongoing Ongoing

Provide ongoing support and resources to participating students throughout their educational and on-site experiences

Activities Year I Year II Year III

Project staff provide ongoing one-on-one support and resources to students to ensure 

successful matriculation through pipeline 

August 2022-

ongoing

Ongoing Ongoing

Provide job placement assistance and coordination for participants in the project

Activities Year I Year II Year III

ARHP staff maintain a current list of health career job openings at partner hospitals & 

clinics on Job Board (ARHP website)

Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

Project staff assist students with securing job placement within a local healthcare 

organization upon completion of certificate or associate's degree program

- June 2023-

ongoing

Ongoing
Organizational 

& 

Administrative 

Capacity

Be honest! There will be a site visit at some point during the 

grant period.

Administrative Capacity. Discuss qualifications of organizational 

and financial management team and leadership. Describe the 

structure of organization and where this project will fit in the 

organizational chart. 

Organizational and Fiscal Capacity. Discuss the organization’s 

structure and capacity to manage the grant funds. Include 

relevant past successful grant funding and operational functions 

of staff. 
Budget 

Narrative

Template

(Example)

Personnel Year I Year II Year III Total

Project Director/Apprenticeship Coordinator. 

Total Personnel

Fringe Year I Year II Year III Total

Project Director/Apprenticeship Coordinator. 

Total Fringe Benefits

Travel Year I Year II Year III Total

Staff. 

Total Travel

Supplies Year I Year II Year III Total

Office.

Total Supplies

Contractual Year I Year II Year III Total

Total Contractual0000

Other Year I Year II Year III Total

Tuition and Fees. 

Total Other

Indirect Costs Year I Year II Year III Total

Total Indirect Costs

Total Direct Costs

Total Indirect Costs

Total Federal Funds Requested $398,758 $583,866 $517,376 $1,500,000
Processes to 

consider

(Mellie’s thoughts) 

• Look around you. Is another organization applying for this opportunity 

and is there an opportunity to partner?

• Start with the workplan.

• Again, look around you. Are there other organizations doing this work or 

is there a way to leverage what is already there to make the application 

even more successful.

• Consider: Does our organization have the capacity to manage this project? 

Does this project fit in our strategic/ long-term plans?

• Again, look around you. Are you the right applicant or is there another 

organization that might be better suited to partner with?

• Next- what are the barriers & challenges for implementation of the project.

• Again, look around you. Who can you pull into your project that can help 

you address these obstacles?

“Success doesn’t necessarily come from breakthrough innovation but from 

flawless execution. A great strategy alone won’t win a game or a battle; the 

win comes from basic blocking and tackling.” — Naveen Jain